We launch skills pipeline to kick-start Africa’s d...

In partnership with India’s Tech Mahindra, we have launched a Data-Science and Analytics (DSA) graduate programme, with an inaugural intake of 13 graduates from six African markets.

This programme is the latest addition to our existing graduate programmes to run across our Africa network, and aims to accelerate the deployment of data-science and analytics specialists in the banking industry.

Graduates from sub-Saharan Africa - including South Africa, Nigeria and Mozambique - with qualifications in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, IT, Statistics and Economics, were eligible to apply, as these are the scarce skills that are so critical to Africa’s growth and future competiveness, according to Thula Ngonyama, Standard Bank Head of Customer Insights for Africa. With innovative programmes such as the DSA, she says, the Bank and its partners hope the potential to develop and enhance a new sector in Africa can be realised.

The graduates will spend three months at Tech Mahindra’s Infocity in Hyderabad, India, immersed in one of the world’s leading data-science and innovation centres where they will train in advanced data analytics tools and project implementation.

Additional learning via a rotation through various lines of businesses within Standard Bank South Africa and the graduates’ home countries will cover training in industry and banking-systems knowledge. On completion, graduates will return to their home country to implement a specialised two-year data-science project at an in-country division.

By developing a broad and deep pipeline of data-science skills across the continent, we are aiming to be a key knowledge source and provider of data-analytics on the continent. While this supports our digitization and customer-centric vision, it also demonstrates our commitment to leveraging human potential through the development of valuable business skills that actively transform a sector with the potential to drive Africa’s growth.

“Standard Bank’s DDA graduate programme has the potential to establish key African markets as centres of excellence in advanced analytics,” says Ms Ngonyama. “This has immediate implications for employment as well as profound implications for Africa’s digital future.”